Automatic cue chalkers

ABSTRACT

Automatic cue chalker, having a chalk driven in rotation when the tip of a cue is disposed thereagainst. The chalk is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor so as to be rotated thereby whenever the electric motor is operating. Actuation of the electric motor is brought about by movement of the chalk with respect to the shaft of the motor, which movement causes the chalk to close an electric switch connected to the electric motor, whereby the electric motor will operate.

I United States Patent 1191 1111 3,894,735

Dickens July 15, 1975 [5 AUTOMATIC CUE CHALKERS 2,545,779 3/1951 Harrison ZOO/61.59 ux 108 M 11 [76] Inventor i dsv h x 7 520 one St Primary ExammerR1chard C. Pmkham y Assistant ExaminerR. T. Stouffer [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carl B. Fox, Jr.

[21] Appl. No.: 404,222

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U S Cl 273 200/61 59 Automatic cue chalker, having a chalk driven in rota- [511 A63! 15216 tion when the tip of a cue is disposed thereagainst. [58] Fie'ld 144/28 The chalk is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor 200/61 so as to be rotated thereby whenever the electric motor is operating. Actuation of the electric motor is [56] References Cited brought about by movement of the chalk with respect to the shaft of the motor, which movement causes the UNITED STATES PATENTS chalk to close an electric switch connected to the 2: electric motor, whereby the electric motor will operoneman 798,914 9/l905 Michaelson.... 273/19 fate 1,273,219 7/1918 Hall 273/19 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures l l l I I I r I II 2" I 2.0

AUTOMATIC CUE CHALKERS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Chalk is applied to the tips of billiard and pool cues, and in order to increase the friction between the tip and balls struck thereby. The tips of cues are customarily of rubber or other elastromeric material, of rounded end form, so that the cue will impart a resilient impetus to the ball. The cue tip must often strike the ball at an angle, to impart rotation as well as direction to the ball, and it is not desirable that the cue tip slide over the surface of the ball. Cue tips are customarily chalked by rubbing the cue tip against a block of chalk, which is usually packaged in a small paper boxopen at one side to enable contact of cue tips with one side of the block of chalk. A depression is provided at that side of the chalk block in order that the curved cue tip end will be chalked not only at its end but around its sides as well. Chalk of this type is used in the present invention.

In the apparatus provided according to the invention, a block or cube of chalk, usually covered by a paper carton or box at five of its faces, is supported for rotation within a housing. The housing has a funnel shaped opening at the inner end of which the chalk block is supported. Cue tips are guided to against the chalk by the funnel. The chalk block is supported at the end of a shaft which is driven in rotation when a cue tip is engaged against the chalk block. An electric motor is disposed within the housing with its shaft directed toward the opening of the funnel guide. The chalk block is supported at the end of the shaft. When the cue tip is pressed against the chalk block, a microswitch starts the electric motor to drive the chalk block in rotation against the cue tip. When the cue tip is removed, the motor ceases operating.

The invention not only makes it easier to properly chalk the tip ofa cue, but avoids a number of problems usually connected with chalking of a cue tip. The loose chalk blocks are easily misplaced, and such is avoided according to the invention. Further, the chalk is ground from the block as dust, which falls onto the top and rail of the pool table, and onto the floor, which is objectionable and unsightly. The chalk dust may also dirty clothing and other objects in and about the pool table.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, reference during the description being made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of one preferred embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, showing a cue directed toward the cue entrance funnel thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Describing the invention in detail, and referring first to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof, the housing of the apparatus has top panel 11, left side panel 12, right side panel 13, back side panel 14, bottom 15, and front side panel 16.

The bottom panel 15 is hinged to open by hinges 20, 21 each connected to the bottom panel and to the lower edge of back wall 14.,Bottom panel 15 has an upwardly extending angular sided tab 23 which fits within the lower edge of front panel 16 and is releasably secured by screw 24 engaged in tapped openings through front panel 16 and tab 23. When screw 24 is removed, bottom panel 15 may be moved down to any angular position 15a, indicated in FIG. 3, to open the bottom of the housing or box.

Bottom panel 15 has aninwardly upset conical funnel formation 25 which has an opening 26 at its inner end. This funnel formation directs the cue tip to be chalked into the apparatus in proper position.

Electric motor 18'is supported from the underside of top panel 11 of the box housing by studs 29 and nuts 30. The studs are passed through suitable openings in top 11. The motor control 32 has operating stem 33 disposed through a suitable opening through top 11, and control knob 34 is secured to the upper end of the control stern. An electrical cable 37 for supplying electrical energy to motor 28 extends through still another opening through top 11,v and is plugged into or connected to a suitable power source.

A fitting 39 in the form of a sleeve having its lower end closed is secured to the end of shaft 40 or motor 28. Fitting 39 is held in place by a set screw 41 which is received into a short axial slot in the side of stem 40. Screw 41 fixes fitting 39 against rotation on shaft 40, but fitting 39 is movable a short distance back and forth axially of shaft 40, screw 41 moving in the slot in the stem. A spring clamp 43 has four spring tabs 44 which are downwardly directed to form a square socket. A cue chalk block 47 is releasably yet firmly held between the tabs 44, one at each side of the block. The block 47 may be removed and replaced by simply pulling it from between the spring tabs, and either replacing it or another chalk block to between the tabs. When motor 28 is operated, fitting 39, spring clamp 43, and the chalk block 47 are rotated concentrically with shaft 40. The block 47 is adjacent the opening 26 of funnel formation 25, so that the tip of a cue may readily be received thereagainst. The lower side of block 47 is not covered by paper as are the other sides of the block.

A microswitch bracket is made up of metal strip members 50, 51 and is tack welded to back panel 14 of the housing. A microswitch 53 is connected to upturned portion 54 of strip 50, and the contact lever 56 thereof is beneath fitting 39. When a cue tip is pressed against the lower side of block 47, fitting 39 is moved slightly upwardly on shaft 40, allowing lever 56 to rise slightly. This causes microswitch 53 to energize motor 28, suitable wiring (not shown) being provided. When the cue tip is removed and block 47 and fitting 39 move downwardly under influence of gravity, lever 56 is depressed downwardly and motor 28 is shut off.

When the tip 59 of a cue 60 is to be chalked, the cue is directed into funnel formation 25 to press tip 59 against the lower side of chalk block 47. Engagement of the cue tip against the chalk block raises lever 56 of microswitch 53 and causes operation of motor 28 to rotate the chalk block, and the motor continues operating until the cue is removed. The speed of motor 28 may be adjusted by regulating knob 34. Only a short period of engagement of the cue tip against the block is necessary for adequate chalking.

The housing or box is supported by two screws-6 2 screwed into a wall or other support with their heads spaced from the wall or support. A pair of keyhole slots 63, 64 receive the screws therethrough and lowering of the box secures the screw heads against removal. The box may, of course, be supported in any other satisfactory manner.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described, many modifications thereof may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to protect by Letters Patent all forms of the invention falling within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for chalking the tips of cues, comprising means for holding a chalk block for engagement by the tip of a cue, said holding means being slidably keyed with respect to the shaft of an electric motor to cause rotation of said chalk block with said shaft when said electric motor is operated, said holding means being slidably moved longitudinally of said shaft by the tip of a cue placed against said chalk block to cause operation of said electric motor whereby chalk from said chalk block is frictionally applied to the tip of the cue, said shaft being fixed against longitudinal movement and said holding means being longitudinally slidable thereon as described, an electric switch means for controlling operation of said electric motor, said Sliding movement of said holding means longitudinally of said shaft in response to the pressure of the tip of a cue causing closing of said electric switch means to cause operation of said electric motor.

2. The combination of claim 1, including a chalk block held by said holding means.

3. The combination of claim 1, said electric switch means being a microswitch, said chalk block holding means comprising spring clip means, said spring clip means moving with said chalk block to operate said microswitch.

4. The combination of claim 3, including housing means enclosing said apparatus elements, said housing means having means for guiding the tip of a cue to against said chalk block. 

1. Apparatus for chalking the tips of cues, comprising means for holding a chalk block for engagement by the tip of a cue, said holding means being slidably keyed with respect to the shaft of an electric motor to cause rotation of said chalk block with said shaft when said electric motor is operated, said holding means being slidably moved longitudinally of said shaft by the tip of a cue placed against said chalk block to cause operation of said electric motor whereby chalk from said chalk block is frictionally applied to the tip of the cue, said shaft being fixed against longitudinal movement and said holding means being longitudinally slidable thereon as described, an electric switch means for controlling operation of said electric motor, said sliding movement of said holding means longitudinally of said shaft in response to the pressure of the tip of a cue causing closing of said electric switch means to cause operation of said electric motor.
 2. The combination of claim 1, including a chalk block held by said holding means.
 3. The combination of claim 1, said electric switch means being a microswitch, said chalk block holding means comprising spring clip means, said spring clip means moving with said chalk block to operate said microswitch.
 4. The combination of claim 3, including housing means enclosing said apparatus elements, said housing means having means for guiding the tip of a cue to against said chalk block. 